Bria Cromartie Whitehead

Bria Cromartie Whitehead serves as a key procurement professional at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, supporting the acquisition of mission-critical scientific and engineering services essential to space and Earth observation programs. She plays a central role in executing complex contracts for research, testing, and systems integration that enable the development of advanced spacecraft, remote sensing instruments, and deep-space communication networks. Her acquisitions typically span technical domains requiring high levels of scientific rigor and engineering precision, ensuring alignment with NASA’s strategic goals in climate science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. Whitehead maintains established relationships with leading technical partners including Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory. These collaborations reflect a pattern of engaging both industry innovators and premier research institutions capable of delivering specialized capabilities in space systems engineering, sensor development, and data analysis. Her contracting approach emphasizes performance-based outcomes and technical excellence, often requiring long-term partnerships to support multi-year mission cycles. Her procurement strategy prioritizes open competition, with 75% of awards issued without set-aside designation, while maintaining a deliberate commitment to socioeconomic diversity through 8(a) and HUBZone set-asides, each accounting for 12.5% of her portfolio. This balanced approach ensures access to innovative small businesses without compromising mission readiness or technical integrity. Her primary NAICS focus includes Engineering Services (541330) and Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715), reflecting her expertise in procuring systems engineering, test and evaluation services, and scientific R&D. She also regularly supports Testing Laboratories and Services (541380) and food service contracts to sustain mission operations, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of needs required to operate a world-class spaceflight center.